Springfield Selected to Tackle Blight and Vacancy at Community Progress Leadership Institute

DevelopSpringfield Board Member honored by Association for Community Living

Springfield-based NUVO Bank & Trust Co. recently announced that Chief Executive Officer M. Dale Janes was awarded the Sally Barnhart Leadership Award from the Assoc. for Community Living in appreciation for his voluntary leadership as president of the board of directors.

DevelopSpringfield issues Request for Qualifications for Environmental Support

DevelopSpringfield is looking to secure the services of an environmental consulting firm to assist us in obtaining EPA and other environmental assessment and clean-up funds and to manage those processes as they relate to certain redevelopment projects. DEADLINE 12/6/13 (expired)

DevelopSpringfield is looking to secure the services of an architectural design firm for design of a 40,000 to 45,000 sq. ft. full-line grocery store in an underserved urban area in Springfield, MA known as Mason Square. DEADLINE 12/9/13 (expired)

DevelopSpringfield Acquires Historic Gunn Block

DevelopSpringfield announced the recent acquisition of the historic Gunn Block (corner of State and Walnut Streets) for redevelopment.

DevelopSpringfield Demolition Ceremony at old River Inn

DevelopSpringfield staged a Demolition Ceremony on Thursday, May 9 to begin the demolition process at the old River Inn at 700 State Street. Brief remarks by Nick Fyntrilakis, VP at MassMutual Financial Group and chairman of DevelopSpringfield's board; Jay Minkarah, president and CEO of DevelopSpringfield; Mayor Domenic Sarno; and Kevin Kennedy, City of Springfield were followed by sledge hammer smashing and starter demolition on the building.

DevelopSpringfield "Seeds of Restoration" -- Editorial from The Republican

DevelopSpringfield Awards Grant to New Downtown Restaurant

A $4,168 grant was recently awarded to Panjabi Tadka Indian Restaurant on Main Street for signage, lighting and other exterior improvements under DevelopSpringfield's Corridor Storefront Improvement Program.

DevelopSpringfield announces new President and CEO

DevelopSpringfield announces Leadership Team

DevelopSpringfield, a nonprofit corporation overseeing a citywide revitalization effort, announced its community leadership team to implement the “Rebuild Springfield” master plan in the aftermath of the June 1 tornado.

Click here to see a list of the recently appointed District & Domain Leaders

Gala Boosts Rebuild Springfield in Post-Tornado efforts

Approximately 400 people turned out for the “Celebrate Springfield Gala”, raising nearly $70,000 to help implement the Rebuild Springfield master plan.

New Interim Executive Director

Tornado Relief Efforts

At the request of Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, DevelopSpringfield and the Springfield Redevelopment Authority have formed a public-private partnership, which will plan and manage a comprehensive multi-year effort to rebuild all sections of the City affected by the June 1 tornadoes. Key stakeholders, including the business community and neighborhood groups, will be consulted throughout the planning and management process.

A grocery store would satisfy inner-city hunger

Supermarket developers have shied away from opening stores in downtown and inner-city locations over the last few decades as the nation’s population migrated from urban centers to the greener pastures of the suburbs.

DevelopSpringfield identifies State Street location for possible supermarket in city

DevelopSpringfield shows off results of State Street storefront improvement

DevelopSpringfield showed off the results of its Corridor Storefront Improvement Program Thursday just a block away from the State Street location it’s identified as a good spot to build a new supermarket.

Springfield businesses eligible for $1 million for improvements

New Agency Created to Drive Economic Development, Revitalization

SPRINGFIELD [October 28, 2009] – Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno today announced that $1 million in grants are available to fund storefront improvements along the entire length of State and Main streets. The grants are available through the Corridor Storefront Improvement Program (CSIP), a project of DevelopSpringfield Corporation, a new private agency that was introduced by Mayor Sarno today.

Through the CSIP, DevelopSpringfield will help businesses and property owners fund exterior improvements such as the restoration of architectural details, painting, window and door replacement, signage, lighting and other façade improvements. The program’s objectives are to improve the physical appearance of businesses and enhance commercial districts along these two principal urban corridors. Eligible businesses could receive grants of up to $10,000 to improve the exterior appearance of their buildings or property. Business owners will be required to match 25 percent of the total grant with their own investment toward improvements.

The CSIP is being funded by public and private monies. The City of Springfield is contributing $499,000 and private funds totaling $501,000 have been raised to match the City’s funding. Private contributors include Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) $276,000; Liberty Mutual $100,000; Springfield Business Development Corporation $100,000; and the State Street Alliance $25,000.

“DevelopSpringfield will provide the City an effective partnership with the private sector to advance development and redevelopment projects in Springfield,” said Sarno. “Over the past year the City has been working with the private sector to put forward an entity that would not only complement the City’s public-sector development vehicles like the Springfield Redevelopment Authority, but have the proper tools for today’s development demands. This organization provides proper public sector linkage enabling it to play a critical role in bricks and mortar redevelopment.”

“DevelopSpringfield will pursue a broad range of development opportunities as our objective is to stimulate and support economic growth and speed up the revitalization process in the city of Springfield,” said Nicholas A. Fyntrilakis, Chairman of DevelopSpringfield – and also Assistant Vice President, Community Responsibility at MassMutual. “We will address the City’s need to redevelop sites, revitalize areas, and spark economic growth and prosperity.”

DevelopSpringfield will focus on quality revitalization strategies that have a high probability of success such as the storefront improvement program. The new organization has a 13-member board of directors including representatives from the city, state, and local business community.

Interested businesses may learn more about and apply for the grants by contacting DevelopSpringfield at (413) 209-8808 or info@developspringfield.com.

DevelopSpringfield is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization committed to advancing development projects, stimulating economic growth and expediting the revitalization process within the City of Springfield.

Funding is sought for planning and economic development activities in Springfield.
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